Football World Cup play-offs: Sweden beat Italy 1-0

A second-half goal by Sweden substitute Jakob Johansson was enough to beat Italy 1-0 and put his side in the driving seat after their World Cup playoff first leg on a chilly night.

Italy's Andrea Belotti sent an early header just wide but after that the visitors showed little ambition, seemingly hoping for a draw to take back to Milan for Monday's second leg as they battle for a place at next year's tournament in Russia.

That all changed when Johansson came off the bench to replaced Albin Ekdal in the 57th minute and four minutes later snapped up a flick-on from a throw-in and hammered the ball through a forest of legs where it was deflected into the net.

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Matteo Darmian came closest to an equaliser, sending a shot cannoning off a post, but the visiting forward line failed to ignite and Italy are now in danger of missing the World Cup finals for the first time since 1958 in Sweden.

Italy coach Ventura rues missed chances

Italy manager Gian Piero Ventura was left to rue an early missed chance in a tough, physical encounter on Friday that sees Sweden take a 1-0 lead into the second leg of their World Cup playoff with a goal from substitute Jakob Johansson.

"It could have gone a different way, if we scored first for example such as when (Andrea) Belotti's header went wide. Now we have 90 minutes left to play," Ventura told a media conference ahead of the return in Milan on Monday.

"The game was very physical, and we suffered from that. We must improve. Physically we can't do much, we only have a day and a half, but we have to read the game better next time. We hope the crowd at the San Siro give us the support we need."

Ventura was visibly angry on the sidelines, gesticulating frequently to his players several times as Italy's attack failed to find a way through the massed ranks of the Swedish defence.

The 69-year-old coach was still certain his team would qualify for next year's finals in Russia and not miss out on the tournament for the first time since 1958 in Sweden.

"When I was in the dressing room I saw how angry and frustrated they were. They know they can do better. The game was very physical and that surprised us but we can do better," said Ventura.

Sweden coach Jan Andersson was pleased with his side's performance, but said he was well aware that this was just the midway point in the tie.

"We are halfway through this playoff, which is very important to point out. We have talked a lot about bravery and giving ourselves a chance... and I think overall we did that today again," Andersson told reporters.

"I'm very happy we won the game... but it was the attitude for 90 minutes that helped us," he said after Johansson scored just past the hour having just come off the bench.

"We'll do an analysis of the game and make a new gameplan for... Monday. I'm still here tonight - I haven't gone any further in my mind about the game on Monday."

Andersson agreed with Ventura about the physicality of the match, but it came as no surprise to the Swedes.

"It was a physical game and we were prepared for it. It was one of the keys to the game, to win the duels. I don't think we were favoured in any way (by the referee)," he said.